Asuncion, IP Agency. – Since the beginning of the pandemic, Itaipu Binacional has intensified its actions in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (Mspybs), allocating around 132,869 million guaraníes (19.2 million dollars) directly to strengthen the health system of Alto Paraná.
To improve health care in Alto Paraná, the Binational takes into account the needs and requests of the Ministry of Public Health and directs its social investments towards priority programs and projects for this State portfolio.
In this line, to strengthen primary health care for the people of Alto Paraná, a total of 25 Family Health Units (USF) are being built, for which an investment of around 35,136 million guaraníes (5 million dollars) has been committed so far, in order to benefit more than 100,000 residents.
The project also focused on the comprehensive revitalization of reference hospitals, such as the Regional Hospital of Ciudad del Este (construction completed and delivered) and the district hospitals of Hernandarias, Presidente Franco and Minga Guazú (constructions soon to be opened). Total funding to date is 17 billion guaraníes (2.4 million dollars) and an estimated 850,000 beneficiaries.
Through the Tesãi Foundation, in 2020 the Binational allocated an amount of 35.208 million guaraníes (5 million dollars), used to supply equipment and supplies to six hospitals that provide care to low-income patients in the east of the country. The hospitals benefited are Los Ángeles, Presidente Franco, Yguazú, Regional de CDE, Distrital de Hernandarias and Area 2 of Tesãi.
Likewise, through Tesãi, contingency support has been provided to combat the spread of Covid-19 in the country, for a total of 3 million dollars, destined for medicines and biosanitary protection supplies that were acquired according to a list from the Ministry of Public Health and whose distribution is handled by the health portfolio.
In addition, to contribute to the sanitation of the Alto Paraná communities, 42 new drinking water supply systems are being built for 13.048 billion guaraníes (1.8 million dollars) to bring quality water to 53,500 people, Itaipu reported.
Public Health channels support
As the institution that leads and coordinates actions aimed at mitigating the effects of Covid-19, the Ministry of Health is in charge of distributing equipment, medicines and supplies to emergency hospitals and health centers in the different localities, giving priority to those located in the departmental capitals. In this sense, Itaipu, supporting the efforts of the Government, arranged for its resources for the health emergency to be channeled through the Public Health portfolio.
Regarding humanitarian assistance to bring food to the sectors most affected by the pandemic, the Binational allocated 32.477 billion guaraníes (4.7 million dollars). 1,825,638 kilograms of food were delivered for the preparation of popular pots, with which 222,000 inhabitants are fed daily. In the same order, indigenous communities and low-income families received 1,500,000 kilograms of food; while 176,037 food rations were distributed in shelters to feed 2,919 compatriots daily.
Itaipu, in addition to being committed to ensuring the provision of electricity in the midst of a health emergency, aims to invest in projects that strengthen the socioeconomic development of the Alto Paraná residents, benefiting, in addition to public health, other sectors.
In terms of infrastructure, two works of capital importance for the department and the region stand out: the Integration Bridge, which will link the cities of Presidente Franco (Paraguay) and Foz de Yguazú (Brazil), which will cost around 84 million dollars, and the Multiviaduct at km 7 of Ciudad del Este, a road solution that will require an investment of more than 11 million dollars.
In the last two years, Itaipu Binacional has allocated 43.8 million dollars to national public health, of which around 45% correspond to investments made in Alto Paraná. As part of its Strategic Axis “Energy for Development”, Itaipu will continue to invest in favor of the health and well-being of more than 7 million Paraguayans, prioritizing the areas of influence of the dam, such as the tenth department.
#Itaipu #invested #million #strengthen #health #system #Alto #Paraná
2024-08-11 10:16:28
